36th (Ulster) Division

Our Brave Defenders

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The four main panels of the mural (above) show
the men of the 36th going over the top on the first day of the Somme (1st July 1916),
the “angel of Mons” (WP),
Ulster Tower (“This tower was dedicated to the glory of God. In grateful memory of the officers, non commissioned officers and men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, and of the sons of Ulster in other forces who laid down their lives in the great war, and of all their comrades in arms who, by divine grace, were spared to testify to their glorious deeds. ‘Throughout the long years of struggle …. the men of Ulster have proved how nobly they fight and die’ – 16th November 1918 King George V”),
and
Thiepval Memorial (“Dear men and brothers, going out/to fight for Ulster’s need/we hail you with a mighty shout/brave friends, and true in deed.//Your country holds you in renown/your names will never be dead/and some sweet angel has a crown/for each dear, manly head.”)

The memorial garden features the Victoria Cross winners from the 36th (Ulster) Division. For close-ups, see the Peter Moloney Collection.

St Leonard’s Crescent (the old Newcastle Street) in east Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2011/2012 Paddy Duffy
T00679 T00680

The United Kingdom

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

In 2004 the East Belfast Historical And Cultural Society sponsored a series of 14 murals in Thorndyke Street charting Protestant history from Cromwell to Cluan Place. From left to right, these are:

  • The Covenant
  • “The Folk Come Home. Lord Protector of the Commonwealth” (Cromwell)
  • “The City Is Saved” (Siege Of Derry)
  • “Civil And Religious Liberty For All.” “Dan Winter’s cottage, County Armagh. Dan Winter was one of the founders of the Orange Order”
  • “Better The Grave Than Slavery.” “How is freedom measured? By the effort which it costs to retain. Freedom!” (WW1)
  • “Their Sacrifice, Our Freedom.” “As we scrambled over the trench ladders, the YCV flag appeared. Jim Maultsaid” (WWI)
  • “United Kingdom”
  • “Hitler Attacks Belfast”
  • “Defending The Community” (Paramilitaries)
  • “Unity – Solidarity” (Sunningdale Agreement)
  • “Their Loyalty Betrayed” (UDR/B Specials)
  • “Out Of The Ashes, New Life.” “Annie Blair – Cluan Place. Her defiance against aggression will always be remembered – God bless”
  • Britannia. “The Union flag, or Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom and it is so called because it embodies the emblems of three countries united under one sovereign – the Kingdoms of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Ireland. The flag consists of three heraldic crosses, those of St Patrick, St George and St Andrew. The Welsh dragon does not appear on the Union flag. This is because when the first Union flag was created in 1606, Wales by that time was already united with England and was no longer a separate principality.”
  • Commonwealth/Sponsors

The murals were launched in 2004 and information panels were added in 2005.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Paddy Duffy
T00587 T00600 T00593 [T00604] T00594 T00589 [T00607]
T00588 [T00608]
T00596 [T00595] T00597 [T00606] T00598 T00599 [T00605] T00590 [T00603] T00591 [T00592] [T00602]
T00601

Ulster Volunteers

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The Ulster Volunteers were formed in response to the Home Rule bill of April 1912 and the Covenant signed in September 1912, first by Edward Carson and then by almost half a million others. Guns were smuggled into Larne on the Clyde Valley in April 1914 but the advent of the World War saw the volunteers instead joining the British Army, specifically the 36th (Ulster) Division, and went over the top at the Somme.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2000 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T01189

Make No Covenant With Them Nor Show Mercy Unto Them

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

These two murals are side-by-side in Blythe Street.

On the left, a particularly violent rejection of the peace-process: “they arose in the dark days to defend our native land for God and Ulster”, “And when the Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee, though shalt smite them and utterly destroy them, thou shalt make no covenant with them nor show mercy unto them – Deuteronomy 7 verse 2”.

On the right, a UVF roll of honour: “In memory of fallen comrades. Lest we forget. John Hanna, Billy Millar, Noel Little, Bunter Davidson, Billy Stewart, Davy McNaught, Sammy Mehaffy, Dicky Richardson [later removed], Geordie Norris [later added]. Their duty demanding, their courage outstanding. Here lies a soldier, murdered by the enemies of Ulster.”

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1997 Paddy Duffy
T00254 T0255